With the popularity of body piercing at an all time high, the incidence of infected navel piercing has gained a great deal of attention. If you've recently decided to have your navel pierced, it is a good idea to know what constitutes an infected navel piercing and when the time comes to seek medical attention. Essentially, any type of body piercing is a wound. Wounds can become infected, even when reasonable attempts at performing the procedure were done in a sterile environment. Don't assume you can't get an infected navel piercing simply because everything was clean and sterile. This means you must be on the lookout for any signs of infection. It is important to note that the piercing will show a small amount of redness several days after the procedure. There is usually also some crusting over, as with any wound. There may be a small discharge of fluid that appears milky, but this also is to be expected and is not a sign of an infected navel piercing. Typically, these signs will all fade within six weeks to two months, with perhaps only a little residue of redness at the points of entry. One of the first signs of an infected navel piercing will be something outside these typical perimeters. If the redness is accompanied by swelling that does not begin to subside quickly, chances are you do have an infected navel piercing. In like manner, a change from the milky fluid leakage to a thicker discharge that is yellow in nature is a clear sign that you have an infected navel piercing and should seek medical assistance immediately. Consistent stinging or other pain is another sign of an infected navel piercing. As with any situation where a puncture in the skin has taken place, you can expect some minor irritation for a very brief time. However, if you find that the area remains tender and the pain increases when you are attempting to clean the wound, there is a chance you have an infected navel piercing. Do not let this slide for more than a day or two. If there appears to be no change, then go see your doctor. An infected navel piercing can be easily treated, so there is no lingering damage. However, just as with any type of infection, it is important to have it taken care of as quickly as possible. Minor infections, such as an infected navel piercing, can create significant health problems later on, if not treated in a timely manner.
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